Friends of the Earth files amicus brief in support of children’s climate lawsuit

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Friends of the Earth, Food and Water Watch, and Greenpeace filed an amicus brief yesterday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit supporting the lower court’s conclusion that the plaintiffs in Juliana v. U.S. have standing. This lawsuit claims the federal government has violated children’s constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property by promoting fossil fuels and causing climate change. The amicus brief particularly focuses on the impacts of climate change on oceans, and how these impacts have harmed the plaintiffs.

Michelle Chan, Vice President of Programs at Friends of the Earth, Emitió la siguiente declaración:

The people who imperil our children’s future must be held accountable. With ocean temperatures increasing and sea levels rising, the impacts of climate change are already on our doorstep.

As our thoughts go out to the people of Texas, we are reminded of the devastating effects of climate change. Warmer air and higher temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico created prime conditions for a storm of Harvey’s magnitude, and these children face a future with stronger and deadlier storms.

We are proud to stand with the next generation as they fight for a future for themselves and our planet. Now is the time for our government to lead with bold, ambitious action. When Congress returns, one thing it should do to show the judicial branch that it isn’t completely asleep at the wheel is to defend the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency, which does critical work to reduce greenhouse emissions and ensure that our communities are climate resilient.

Contacto de comunicaciones: Erin Jensen, (202) 222-0722, [email protected]